Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: J.T. Miller, a graduate of the Pittsburgh Hornets Midget program, played for the U.S. NTDP squad competing in the USHL. In 29 games, he scored 5 goals and added 7 assists for 12 points to go along with 32 penalty minutes. In 46 games for the U-17 squad, Miller scored 15 goals and added 16 assists for 31 points to go along with 79 penalty minutes. Miller played for the USA at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 5 goals and adding 4 assists for 9 points in 6 games for the gold medal winners.

2010-11: Miller again played for the U.S. NTDP squad playing in the USHL. In 21 games, he scored 3 goals and added 12 assists for 15 points to go along with 48 penalty minutes. Miller played for the USA’s gold medal team at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championship, scoring 4 goals and adding 8 assists for 12 points in 6 games. Miller committed to the University of North Dakota, but has instead decided to play for the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers.

2011-12: Miller made his pro hockey debut as a 19-year-old, joining Connecticut for the AHL playoffs following his first season with OHL Plymouth. He played in 8 AHL playoff games for the Whale and had 1 assist and was minus-two with 2 penalty minutes. Miller scored 25 goals with 37 assists in 61 games on a Plymouth team that was second in the OHL with 279 goals and he was plus-eight with 61 penalty minutes. The Whalers finished first in the West Division and reached the second round in the OHL playoffs. Miller scored 2 goals with 8 assists in 13 playoff games and was minus-three with 18 penalty minutes. He represented the USA at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championships; scoring 2 goals with 2 assists in six games as the USA finished seventh.

2012-13: Miller had an eventful first pro season as a 19-year-old – skating in 26 games for the Rangers following the NHL lockout after playing in the AHL with Connecticut and winning a gold medal playing on the top line for the USA at the 2013 World Junior Championship. He scored two goals against the Islanders in his second NHL game on February 7th, his only goals of the season. He had 2 assists and was -7 with 8 penalty minutes with New York. Miller was with the Rangers during the playoffs but did not see any action. In 42 AHL games with Connecticut he scored 8 goals with 15 assists and was -12 with 29 penalty minutes. Connecticut missed the AHL playoffs by two points. Skating on the USA’s top line with Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary) and Jimmy Vesey (Nashville), Miller scored 2 goals with a team-high 7 assists and was +2 in seven games. The USA defeated Sweden, 3-2, in the gold medal game.

2012-13: Miller had an eventful first pro season as a 19-year-old — skating in 26 games for the Rangers following the NHL lockout after playing in the AHL with Connecticut and winning a gold medal playing on the top line for the USA at the 2013 World Junior Championship. He scored two goals against the Islanders in his second NHL game on February 7th, his only goals of the season. He had 2 assists and was -7 with 8 penalty minutes with New York. Miller was with the Rangers during the playoffs but did not see any action. In 42 AHL games with Connecticut he scored 8 goals with 15 assists and was -12 with 29 penalty minutes. Connecticut missed the AHL playoffs by two points. Skating on the USA’s top line with Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary) and Jimmy Vesey (Nashville), Miller scored 2 goals with a team-high 7 assists and was +2 in seven games. The USA defeated Sweden, 3-2, in the gold medal game.

Talent Analysis

Miller is an excellent two-way player, with some offensive upside. A good face-off man, he plays well along the boards and in tight areas.

Future

Although he will be competing with many older, more experienced forwards for an NHL roster spot this fall, Miller will get a very long look in camp. Given the Rangers NHL roster, he will likely begin the season in Hartford, but should be one of the first call ups this season.

Photo: New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller has been one of the best value picks in the 2011 NHL Draft and has evolved into an effective offensive option. (courtesy David Hahn/Icon Sportswire)

The New York Rangers returned to the postseason in the 2010-11 season, but it was not an overly auspicious year in general for the club. As a result, the fringe playoff team did not make a lot of deadline moves – as they would in the coming years – that would diminish their draft ammunition substantially. They did bring in veteran Bryan McCabe in exchange for Tim Kennedy and a third round selection, but did really nothing further during the season. Read more»

Photo: Goaltender Igor Shestyorkin is one of three netminders the New York Rangers have drafted over the last two years. Shestyorkin was a third round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

After being weak for several years at both the goaltending and center positions, the New York Rangers have shored up their organization depth chart and have a fairly strong group of prospects who will vie for NHL spots within the next two to five years.

Photo: Bridgeport Sound Tigers defenseman and New York Islanders prospect Kevin Czuczman saw some action in the NHL at the end of last season, but will begin the 2014-15 season with the Sound Tigers (courtesy of Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

With the Adirondack Phantoms re-locating to Allentown and moving to the East Division, the 2013 Eastern Conference champion Syracuse Crunch have been added to the AHL‘s Northeast Division. With a lot of roster turnover amongst all of the teams and a new team in the mix, the division appears to be up for grabs in 2014-15. Read more»

Photo: Heading into his rookie professional season, forward Ryan Haggerty is hoping to make an immediate impact and push for an NHL roster spot. (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

There have been very few changes in hockey operations personnel within the New York Rangers organization for the 2014-15 season. After going to the Stanley Cup finals last spring, the Rangers have been trying to tweak the NHL team to put it over the top, rather than making wholesale changes within the organization.